Sunday, July 31, 2011

The lawn was painted to resemble a football field. Last Wednesday, a game was played among various retired NFL players, including Dan Marino, Barry Sanders and Jerry Rice. The game was taped and will air on August 28th, during the Oakland vs. New Orleans game.

This park is a wonderful relief from the buildings and asphalt in Midtown. It's not uncommon to see office workers sunbathing during their lunch hour.

Tons of events are scheduled in the park every day. This coming week, there is the traditional Monday night movie ('Cool Hand Luke'), Tai Chi, juggling and live music.

For the Bryant Park Events Calendar, click here.
For an article about last Wednesday's game, including photos, click here.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Just across the Hudson River is Jersey City, in New Jersey. The Goldman Sachs Tower is the tallest building in that state, recently built by the architect Cesar Pelli. It is 42 stories tall and was completed in 2004.

In the tower are offices, a cafeteria and full service gym, including a clinic for physical therapy. For more about the building, click here.

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Last week, my office chartered a yacht for a ride around Manhattan. We went up the Hudson to the George Washington Bridge, across to the East River and down to the Statue of Liberty. It was the first time I had seen Manhattan from a boat.

There is nothing more civilized than a bunch of architects on a yacht, haha. We were lucky to have good weather until the very end, when we were bombarded with rain. Fortunately, no one got seasick.

You don't have to charter your own boat for such a treat. There are several companies that offer sightseeing rides year round.

Passing below one of the many bridges on the East River. You can see the shadow of our boat in the foreground.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Photo by myself on the High Line, somewhere around 24th Street and 10th Avenue, in Chelsea.

The second section is open on the High Line, the elevated pedestrian park in Chelsea.

The park now runs from Gansevoort Street in the West Village, all the way up to West 30th Street. It makes use of an abandoned elevated railroad trestle.

The elevated views are pretty incredible. At times, you are winding around the back sides of old tenement buildings or along billboards.

The plantings have filled out quite a bit since this park opened. Above, the Standard Hotel.

A new water feature allows visitors to cool their tired feet. Water skims the surface of several rows of stone. The row where people have left their shoes are open grates for drainage.At times, the walkway juts out as platforms overlooking the street.

The view north. There is a final undeveloped portion ahead between 30th and 34th Street that includes the rail yards.

The view west toward the Hudson River.

The view east toward Chelsea.

I definitely recommend visiting on a day that is not too sunny. The light colored concrete becomes a reflective surface in the summer, radiating all the heat up at you. It is really, really hot.

For the official High Line site, including its history and a calendar of events, click here.
For an interactive map, click here.
For a look at my first tour of the High Line, click here.

City Portraits is an ongoing, once-in-a-while installment featuring parts of New York.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Stand clear of the closing doors is the recorded mantra you hear all the time on the subway, followed by an electronic ding - dong.

Every time the doors close, subway operators stick their heads out as reliably as groundhogs on Groundhog Dog Day. The operators check that no one and nothing is stuck in the doors, before the train moves on.

The red light to the side of the door shuts off when the door is completely closed. Sometimes people running onto the train and get a hand or bag stuck in the doors. Eek.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

As you can see on the right, there are still some empty lots, even in this neighborhood. This area is known for one-off boutiques selling very expensive items.

Most of the stores are for clothing. There are knick knack stores and restaurants, too.

I always thought it would be tough to live as a student in New York, where you are bombarded with advertising at a time when you're not earning a dime. A friend of mine who went to NYU said it was not easy.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Photo by myself, around East Houston and Norfolk Streets, on the Lower East Side.

A woman in a kimono was getting directions, on the Lower East Side.

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It has been very hot here, with temperatures in the mid-to-high 90's.

On the subway platforms, it's been stifling. I've been trying to get a photo of how hot it can be while waiting for a train, but New Yorkers hold their own pretty well. You can't even tell they are suffering.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

'Lakota, Dakota Nation' refers to two Native American reservations in North Dakota. The installation was done after the artist, 'JR', received a $100,000 grant awarded by TED, a non-profit agency dedicated to innovation.

'JR' is a street artist. He specializes in large scale portraits placed in urban settings. For his online portfolio, click here.

For more about the Houston Street mural, click here
For more about the TED award, click here.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Yes, the above photo was taken this year. It's a record store. Remember those?

Strider Records sells vinyl in their store and online. They've been around for 30 years and have a large selection of all sorts of music. They are very proud of an extensive collection of Elvis Presley records.

I didn't get to go inside. From the photos on their website, the store looks to be packed full with records, from floor to ceiling. Obviously you need a record player to enjoy these things. Ha.

Strider ships worldwide. You can search for oldies but goodies on their website here.

Friday, July 15, 2011

It's hard to believe sometimes that the above photo was taken in New York City rather than Disneyworld. Huge billboards and pedestrian-only blocks in this area cater to visitors.

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In general, it looks and feels relatively safe in New York these days. It's easy to walk around as if there's no reason to be careful.

Crime goes on, though. In the last couple days, the city has been shattered by a shocking tragedy in Brooklyn. An 8-year old boy was recently found dead after he became lost, while trying to walk the few blocks home from camp.

The incident took place in what's considered a very safe neighborhood in Brooklyn. The alleged killer dismembered the body before being caught. Horrible. Many young kids navigate the city on their own.

Monday, July 11, 2011

It's not easy for parents to get around the city with young children. When in a crowd, the best view is from higher up. There is also a lot of walking involved in the city.

Young children riding around in strollers can also be a tough situation. Parents have to cart the stroller up and down stairs to the subway. Typically there are no elevators, though New Yorkers will often lend a hand.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

The latest slogan for a Citibank location is 'Write your NYC story'. The windows of this building across from Bryant Park is often decorated with interesting displays.

I have to wonder what this man's story is. The American flag he's toting is a remnant from the Fourth of July.

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For a while, I was going to a pastry cart guy on the block where I work. I always got the same thing (cheese danish), and was greeted with a cheery 'good morning' and playful banter.

But now I'm on a new diet, one that says cheese danishes are a no-no. So I walk a couple blocks around and take a shortcut through a parking garage to avoid that fateful corner. Anything to avoid having to explain myself (it's not you or your pastries, it's me!).

This is my roundabout way of saying there are NYC stories everywhere. Even a large city can seem like a small town at times.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Photo by myself at Columbus Circle, at 59th Street and Columbus, in Midtown.

New York is becoming more people-powered, lately.

Bicycle lanes are more common and there are plans for city-sponsored bike rentals. Generally, the vibe here is that driving, except for cabs and deliveries, is not so desirable.

Our Mayor, a very pragmatic businessperson, has been making the City more and more efficient. This is a good thing, I suppose. For people who live or around the city, it's a mixed bag.

Owning a car has always been difficult in the city. You can park on the streets but you need to move your car every other day and risk damage. Those who can afford it rent spaces in a garage. Monthly costs are in the hundreds per month.

In the outer boroughs such as Brooklyn, it's a little easier. If you park on the street, you only need to move your car once a week.

One if by Land is touted for being one of the most romantic restaurants in the city. It is also very expensive. Mark received a gift certificate from a business contact over a year ago, and we finally got around to eating there.

There is a piano player in the front of the house, as well as a well-stocked bar. A double height space is lit with candelabra. The vibe is Old New York, with exposed brick walls and very low lighting.

We opted for the six-course chef tasting menu but should have gone with the four-course prix fixe menu instead (there are only these two options on weekends). We were absolutely stuffed by the fifth course. And then there was dessert!!

The bar and seating, in the front room. A fireplace is out of frame, to the left.
I had pate, a beautiful summer salad and steak, among other dishes. Mark had lobster, pan seared scallops and halibut. Some of the courses were just okay, some were divine. Overall, our food experience was a good one.

I don't have any photos of our food, unfortunately. We were sitting between to two other tables and I felt strangely embarrassed to take photos with such limited space.

There are mixed reviews to One if by Land online. Frankly, Mark and I prefer down-to-earth ramen places and Ethiopian food to fancy places.

For a review in New York Magazine, click here.
For the restaurant website, which includes current menus, click here.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Photo by myself outside the Central Savings Bank at 73rd Street and Broadway on the Upper West Side.

The Apple Bank, formerly the Central Savings Bank, is located just where Amsterdam Avenue and Broadway intersect, on the Upper West Side. Pointy-eared creatures look down from the railing above.

The building was originally built in the 1920's. The upper floors were converted into condominium apartments in 2006.

Two bedroom units were originally sold for $5.8 million. A three-bedroom unit was originally sold for $6.65 million, or $2,204 per square foot. The average price for apartments in this neighborhood is $1,299 per square foot.

All apartments were outfitted with their own laundry rooms and kitchens with top-of-the-line appliances. The building also has an indoor gym and 24-hour doorman.

For an article about the building, including photos of the apartment interiors click here.

Friday, July 1, 2011

A group of kids performed dance moves on the subway, Thursday night. Performers usually turn on a boom box or shout an announcement. Then they run down the aisle doing handstands or grabbing a pole and flipping themselves upside down for contributions.

People were engrossed in their own thoughts, or sleeping, or texting at the time. Ha. Musical and acrobatic performances on the subway are not uncommon.

There is a moment when the trains to and from Brooklyn emerge from the tunnels and cross the Manhattan Bridge. The cars are bathed in daylight. It's the ideal time to check text messages or to make a quick call.

This weekend is July 4th weekend, a holiday in the States. People celebrate by having barbecues or picnics. Most people have Monday off from work. Happy July 4th weekend, everyone!

About Me

Welcome to my photo blog. I'm an architect and I live in Brooklyn. I post about New York life, my fiance Mark, his car Clive and our dog.
I take photos daily on a Canon 40D and Leica dLux-5.
Email me if you would like to purchase a print or if you just want to chat. I love to hear from people:
kittylittered @ gmail.com